Flash light



Dec. 3, 1929. J, SHANNON 1,738,122

FLASH LIGHT Filed Jan. 18. 1928 INI/ENTOR, James Jn/mom A TTORN E Y.

Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES L. SHANNON, OF SPRINGFIELD, MAS

SAC'HUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BLAKE MANU- GHUSETTS FLASH LIGHT Application lled January 18, 1928. Serial No. 247,578.

rllhis invention relates to improvements in flash lights of the type in which the battery is enclosed in a metal tube with the bulb, reflector and lens at one end of the tube and the opposite'end being closed with a threaded cap. An object ofthe invention is to provide a switch structure that accomplishes three separate purposes; one for retaining the push buttonin a locked position so that the ycircuit can not be accidently closed and run downY the battery; another purpose is when the push button locking member is withdrawn it permits the push button to be forced downward for closing the elect-ric circuit to the ybulb when it is desired to be iashed temporarily; and third for permanently closing the circuit to the bulbs.

Broadly considered, the invention com prises a cap plate or escutcheon member that is secured to the metal tubingr by riveting or otherwise. On the upper surface of this cap isv located a slidable thumb piece which is constructed for retaining the slidable contact thumb part in the three different positions referred to. Located within the cap is va s-idable contact plate `that is attached to the slidable thumb piece on' the outside of the cap and which contact plate is formed with three openings. The cap or plate member is formed with a projection or detent which enters the three openings when the thumb piece is operated for retaining the slidable contact plate in the three different positions; for locking the push button against movement for temporarily closing the circuit and for permanently closing the circuit.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the switch, showing a portion of the battery enclosing tube.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 illustrating the push button in its locked position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the push button disengaged for permitting the temporary closing of the circuit, and

Fig. 4 shows the contact plate for permanently closing the electric circuit.

Referring to the drawings in detail:

1 designates the metal tubulaimember which encloses the battery, 2 is the cover plate which is secured to the tube 1 by means of the hollow rivets 3. The plate 2 is formed with an upwardly extending portion 1. On the upper surface 5 of the cover plate 2 is located the slidable thumb piece 6 which is formed with a shoulder part 7 and an inclined portion 8, against which the thumb or finger is placed for moving the thumb piece 6. This slide is formed with a slot 9 and an upwardly extending portion 10 at its forward end. 11 designates a push button which is located in the slot 9 of the slidable thumb piece 6 and extends downward through the openingl 12. To the lower end of the push button is att-ached a washer 13 for retaining the push button in the opening 12. 14E is a slidable Contact plate which is connected to the slidable thumb piece 6 by means of ears which are formed as an integral part of the thumb piece 6. These ears extend downward through the openings in the surface part 5 where they enter notches in the sides of the contact plate 111. They are then folded underneath the contact piece 111 as indicated at 15, whereby when the thumb piece 6 is moved the Contact piece 141 is moved. The contact piece 14 is formed with three openings 16, 17 and 18; These openings are designated to receive the detent or projection 19 of the part 5. That is to say when the Contact plate 14 is moved by the thumb piece the part 19 snaps from one opening to the other, and thereby retains the contact plate 14 and thumb piece 6 in a locked position.

Located immediately below the push button 11 is a contact terminal 2O that is electrically connected to the strip 21 which is a part of the electric circuit through the battery and the bulb. 22 is a strip of insulation between the metallic tubular member and the strip 21.

The operation of the switch may be described as follows: Referring to the parts shown in Fig. 2, the slidable thumb piece G is shown moved forward with the struck up portion 10 located below the shoulder of the push button. In this position the push button is locked against a downward movement. At the same time the contact 14 is retained in this position by means of the projection or detent 19 entering the opening 18. Referring to Fi 3 the thumb piece 6 is moved forward as in icated by the arrow 23, so that the projection or detent 19 enters the opening 17 of the contact plate 14. In this position of the thumb piece 6 the struck up part 10 is removed from under the push button. The push button is now free to be moved downward as indicated by the arrow 24 which moves the contact plate 14 into the dottedV line position 14 and against the contact 20. When pressure is released on the ush button 11 the contact plate 14 will sprlng upward and open the circuit. If it is desired to permanentl close the circuit the slidable thumb piece 6 1s moved into the position shown in Fig. 4. This operation causes the detent part 19 to enter the opening 16 of the contact plate 14 and at the same time the arm 25 is moved firmly against the contact 20. The circuit is now permanently closed until the thumb piece 6 is moved forward again.

It will be seen from this description that g I have provided a switch device for flash light which permits the contact button to be put in operation or for automatically closing the circuit or for permantly closing the circuit.

What I claim is:

1. A switch device for flash lights having a metallic tubular battery receiving casing, comprising a plate member which is secured to the tubular casing of the light, the plate being formed with a struck-up or detent portion which extends downward below the inner surface of the plate, a slidable contact plate located within the plate member and formed with a plurality of openings to receive the said struck-up or detent portion, a slidable thumb piece located on the upper surface of the plate, means for connecting the thumb piece to the slidable contact plate for moving the slidable contact plate to permit the struckup or detent portion to snap from one open-v ing to the next, a push button located in an opening of the slidable thumb piece, said push button being located above the Contact plate, the construction and arrangement being such that the thumb piece may be located in a position, so as to permit of a temporary closing of the circuit or for permanently closing the circuit.

2. In combination, a slidable Contact plate for flash lights comprising a member which is formed with a plurality of spaced openings, a. housing for the said contact plate, detent means on the housing engaging the said openings for retaining the 'contact plate in different fixed positions, a push button, and means operated by the cont-act plate which is moved to a position under the push button, for preventing the downward operation of the push button, when the contact plate is in one position.

3. In combination, a switch device for Hash lights, comprising a plate member which is formed with a flat upper surface with an opening in said surface, a slidable thumb piece located on the said surface and formed with a longitudinal slot and a struck-up portion at one end of the slot, a push button located in the longitudinal slot of the thumb piece and in the opening of the flat surface, the struckup portion of the thumb piece being desi ed for locating the same under the head o-the push button to prevent its downward movement, a slidable contact plate connected to the thumb piece, and means between the slidable contact plate, the push button and thumb piece for preventing the operation of the push button, or for temporarily closing the circuit, or for permanently closing the circuit, as described.

4. A switch device for the purpose described comprising in combination, a plate member having an opening to receive a ush button with an enlarged head part, a sli able thumb piece on the upper surface of the plate member, a slidable contact plate located on the under side of the plate member and connected to the thumb piece to move therewith, the contact plate having a plurality of openin s, the plate having a struck-up detent part or entering one opening at a. time as the thumb piece is moved, a contact with which the contact late enga es when the push button is operate the thum piece having a struck-up part with which the enlarged head part engages for retaining the push button in an inoperative position and the struck-up part on the plate co-operating with the openings to retain the contact plate in position to close the electric circuit.

J AMES L. SHANNON. 

